Frank Harshman Miller, Jr.

Frank Harshman Miller Jr., 69, of Nowata, died Monday, Nov. 10, 2025,
at his home. He was born Aug. 23, 1956 in Santa Rosa, California, to
Frank Harshman Miller Sr. and Joan (Logan) Miller.

He graduated from Southeast High School in Wichita, Kansas. He
attended University of Kansas in Lawrence from 1974 to 1975; Ottawa
University in Ottawa, Kansas from 1990 to 1991; and Friends University
in Wichita from 1992 to 1993. He graduated from C.L.E.E.T. Basic Peace
Officers Academy in 2002 and the Criminal Investigations Academy in
2006. He continued his law enforcement education throughout his
career, serving as a C.L.E.E.T. Instructor since 2007.

He worked as both a pastor and within law enforcement for his entire
adult life. His career includes service with the Miami Public Schools
as a School Resource Officer in the early 2000s; as the assistant
police chief for Fairland, Oklahoma from 2001 to 2003; the Police
Commissioner for the Eastern Shawnee Tribal Police from 2003 to 2012;
as an detective/investigator for the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
from 2013 to 2017; and as a detective/investigator for the Craig
County Sheriff’s Office from 2017 until his retirement in July 2023.
From March 2025 until his death he served as a reserve deputy for
Nowata County Sheriff’s Office. He was the Anna McBride Compliance
Officer for Craig County from February 2022 to January 2025.

He received numerous commendations throughout his law enforcement
career, as well as being presented the Chief Joseph Blanket in 2011.
He was a National Tribal Police Chief of the Year nominee in 2010. He
was recognized for his work in the aftermath of the Joplin Tornado in
May 2011. During his time with the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma,
he formed the Nine Tribes Taskforce to combat drug use in Indian
Country.

For the last 10 years of his law enforcement career he focused on
investigations involving crimes against children, women and the
elderly. He strived to work for justice for victims of crime and
violence, while valuing compassion, integrity and courage.

As a pastor, he served Baptist churches in Kansas, Oklahoma and
Missouri. During his time at Splitlog Baptist Church, he and others
developed a ministry to people floating the area's rivers. Most
recently, he served as a supply pastor for the Oklahoma Free Will
Baptist Association and conducted weddings and funerals for those who
asked.

He married Kaylea M. Hutson on July 25, 2015 at the United Methodist
church in Grove. She survives. Additional survivors include his two
daughters: Annie and Robyn; three sisters: Jane McCullick, Ventura,
California; Kathryn Carter, Lawrence, Kansas; and Nancy (Tom)
Sanders, Nashville, Tennessee; two grandchildren Ayana and Nicholas;
two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Douglas Comstock
Miller; and one daughter, Monica Sue Miller.

Services are set at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14, at Foundation Free Will
Baptist Church, 57700 E 240 Rd, Afton, (two miles north of Sailboat
Bridge on Highway 59) with Pastor Sam Smith presiding. A private
interment at Fullerton Cemetery, Carthage, Missouri will take place at
a later date.

He lived by the motto “Everyday’s Like Christmas” and always
encouraged people to remember that they were valued, no matter their
life circumstances.

Cremation services provided by Benjamin Funeral Services in Nowata,
Oklahoma. Memorial contributions may be made to Delaware County
Children’s Special Advocacy Center (DCCSN) in Jay, Oklahoma, or to the
Oklahoma Union Public School Foundation, South Coffeyville, Oklahoma.